One of the immediate changes I noticed after
leaving the middle school is the level of motivation. Amanda and I are working with
seniors and their biggest priority at the moment is senior projects. Since this
is a yearlong assignment, many of the students are ready for summer and
graduation and senior project is a lot of responsibility. Many of them are
tired or bored and want nothing to do with the project anymore. There is also a
lot more texting. Everyone has a cellphone. Despite school rules not allowing
cell phone usage in classrooms, many students are prone to ‘hiding’ their cell
phones as they text. With so many of them doing it, many times teachers have to
let it go. I sincerely doubt that teachers do not see the students texting,
they are not very good at ‘hiding’ their phones.
I did notice a lot more teacher movement
than in the middle school. Our cooperating teacher makes her rounds and focuses
her attention on each student. Unlike the middle schools, our classes that we
observe allow students to sit wherever we want. She even told Amanda and me that
we could sit just about anywhere we wish because “the students will move around
us”. This can also suggest that students are used to visitors and observers and
know enough to move to another seat if ‘theirs’ is occupied.
Regardless of where I have taught and
observed so far, I have not seen a student that was unwilling to learn. They may
claim their bored, not read the text, or delay writing their research papers
for senior project. However, there is always something they want to know more about.
Every single senior project I have looked at with these seniors are all unique
and something that is in their interests be it a career, a hobby, or something
that effects their life in general. In the middle school, we discovered that
the students loved to debate and use their opinions and voice.
In other words, students want that chance to
share themselves and use their voice. And I love when they get the opportunity
to do so. This is why I want to judge senior projects this year, so I can hear students’
voices and learn about what is relevant to them.
Students are given voice and choice, right? And they are old enough to see that graduation is in their sights. It's a little different from middle school where many students may wonder what all this work is for, especially if it doesn't interest them personally...what can be done about that?
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned, I really saw a lot of enthusiasm from the middle school students when they got to debate. I think teachers really need to emphasize the importance right away, provide examples of those personal connections that students can link onto, especially at the middle school level. In fact, I would say teachers should do this for ALL age groups. This can help not only with personal values and expression but also with social norms, values, respect, etc. Voice is important and I think students should have those moments whenever possible.
DeleteYou mentioned the use of cellphones and that every student has a cellphone and that the students "hide" the cellphones. Are the students using them during instruction? In the classrooms I'm in currently everyone has cellphones but they are never out during instruction or activities, only when class has finished, before it starts, or if they are not currently engaged.
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